'The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug' A Review

The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug is a fantasy film, the second installment of the Hobbit trilogy. The adventure continues where it left off with a brief, and contrived, flashback to catch up any uninitiated coming to the franchise for the first time. Bilbo and his band take refuge in the home of a skinchanger, traverse Mirkwood forest, are imprisoned by the elves, escape to Lake-town, enter the Lonely Mountain, and confront the dragon Smaug. A lot happens in the film and the adventure is engaging and pleasing.

Pervading over the whole experience however is the nagging question of why. There is no reason to extend this story into three films, the content isn't there. The Lord Of The Rings movies had a break neck pace and a good amount was cut from the books, even though there were three long films they were packed with story. The Hobbit by comparison feels bloated and lethargic. Because of the length of the films, the amount of digressions they make, and the fact there are three- a great deal of narrative momentum and satisfaction is lost.

The performances are spot on but because of the investment required by the audience a great deal of freshness is lost.

Entertaining and good for distraction but nothing more.

Rent It.